Wool washing and degreasing machine.



APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1911.

Patented Fb.4,1913.

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. BAUDOT. WOOL WASHING AND DEGREASING MACHINE. APPLIOATI ON FILE D m. s, 1911. 1 05 1 944 Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 E tam J. BAUDOT.

WOOL WASHING AND DEGREASING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.6, 1911. 1,05 1,944, Patented Feb. 4, 1913.

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@WW W W UNITED sa WOOL WASHING AND DEGREASING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH BAUDOT, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Tourcoing, Department Nord, France, have invented Improvements in or Relating to ool )Vashing and Degreasing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to wool washing and tile-greasing machines and has for object to provide an improved process for the separate electrolytic treatment of the liquid used in such machines.

According to this invention, instead of directly electrolyzing the liquid of the alkaline bath or grease water in which the wool is treated, theelectrolysis of such liquid is produced externally to such bath. The wool is thus not exposed to the direct action of the electric current, but the potash salts contained in the grease undergo such action with the result that their bases being electro-chemically modified their solution acquires powerful de-greasing properties. For this purpose according to the improved process, the liquid from the bath in Wool washing or de-greasing machines is extracted by beating or agitating it vigorously so as to emulsionize in a high degree the greasy matters extracted from the wool in order to facilitate the separation thereof; such separation is produced, and finally the de-greased liquid is submitted to electrolytic action. The solution after being thus degreased and suitably electrolyzed is afterward re-introduced, as long as it does not attain a density of from 10 to 12 Baum, into the vats or troughs of washing or degreasing machines for use on fresh quantities of wool.

As will be seen, the greasy solution is always in movement; it leaves the washing machine to be emulsionized, de-greased. and

electrolyzed. then when completely regenerated, that is to say rendered fit for degreasing purposes it is returned to the machine to act on the woolof which it develops at same time the resisting or strengthening and other qualities. After being for some minutes in contact with this de-greasing solution, which is constantly de-greased and Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 6, 1911.

Patented Feb. 4,1913.

Serial No. 606,845.

favor its effectual action and conducting powers. When its density exceeds from 10 to 12 Baum, a portion of it is withdrawn and the rest diluted with water.

The invention also consists in apparatus for carrying out the improved process setforth, such apparatus being readily applicable, with some slight modifications, to the types and systems of washing or de-greasing machines at present in'use. I

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic section of one arrangement of apparatus for carrying out my process. Fig. 2 is a corresponding plan. Fig. 3 is a diagram view of a modified form of the apparatus. Fig. 4 is a corresponding p an.

In all these views the washing machine is shown in fine lines, the apparatus for carrying out the process forming the subject of the present invention being indicated in heavier lines.

Theapparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises:

(1.) A reservoir A intended to receive, through a gutter or channel g, the liquid or greasy solution extracted by the pressers X of the wool being treated and proceeding from the Washing trough Y of the washing machine. A small perforated plate or rose (1 serves to retain any foreign bodies contained in the solution.

(2.) A receiver B into which the solutrodes 0 connected to a source of electric current are arranged. Liquid from the receiver B is delivered to the tank C through a branch 1:, fitted with a valve and located near the bottom of the receiver B. The electrodes 0, which may be of carbon, lead, or any other conducting metal, are placed so as to form a bailie arrangement with the object of setting up in the direction of the arrows a circulation of the liquid toward a valve-controlled pipe branch 0 establishing communication between the tank G and the trough Y of the washing machine.

The working of this apparatus is as follows: The greasy liquid extracted by the: pressing cylinders or rblls X and delivered through the gutter or channel 9 into the reservoir A contains, together with the grease salts, a large quantity of greasy matters extracted from the wool. From the reservoir A the liquid .is withdrawn by the rotary pump 7) which causes such agitation as to emulsionize the liquid to a high degree and delivers it through the pipe t into the receiver B where the division 0 its elements is effected. The greasy matters, being lighter than the liquid, rise toward the dome b and flow to the exterior by way of the inclined plane 5 and exhaust 5 "During this time the saline solution, freed from the greasy matters and of greater density, escapes through the pipe-branch 41 into the electrolyzing tank C where it circulates between the electrodes 0 and is submitted to the action of the electric current. 'After electrolyzation the solution returns to the trough Yet the washing machine, passing through the valve controlled branch '0 The intensity of circulation and the electrolyzation of this solution is suitably regulated by adjustment of the flap-valves v and v The wool passing through the washing machine is thus immersed in a de-greasing solution which is kept constantly electrolyzed and freed from the greasy matters extracted from the wool; it undergoes the action of such solution under conditions such that. it is rapidly and entirely'freed from the salts of its grease and undergoes almost complete de-greasing.

In the application of the rocess to socalled exhaust machines t e apparatus hereinbefore described is modified in the manner shownin Figs. 3 and 4. In this modified arrangement of apparatus the dividing or separating vessel B is subdivided into the same number of compartments B B B" as the trough of the exhaust machine to which the invention is applied. In addition the compartments of the trough "of such machines are transformed into so many electrolyzing tanks C C C of the same material as hereinbefore indicated and containing electrodes 0 arranged as .the opposite direction to the wool.

bafies. Each of the electrolyzing tanks is connected through a high-speed rotary pump p and delivery pipe 1- to the corresponding compartment of the separating vessel B. From the lower part of each compartment of this vessel or tank there extends a pipe u fitted with a controlling valve and terminating in a perforated inclined part 10 for spraying the solution onto the wool traveling past below it in the direction of the arrow w, said solution acting on the wool in passing through same and then flowing into the corresponding compartment of the electrolyzing tank C.

Instead of falling directly into the compartments C C C", the liquid is received on inclined planes f that convey it to the end of the compartments opposite to the inlet of the pumps p in order to force the liquid to follow the devious or baflied path indicated by the arrows y.

It will be noted that the first compartment C receives from a pipe (Z the feed water for compensating the constant loss of liquid undergone in said compartment, whereas the last compartment B of the separating vessel discharges its liquid through a pipe 2' into a grease-weigher c with a view to the recovery of the potash salts. It will also be noted that the general arrangement of the washing machine is'in no wise modified and that owing to the de. livery pipes t the solution always travels in Lastly, it will be noted that precautions are taken to maintain with the aid of known means, a constant level in the different compartments of the apparatus. However this may be effected, the greasy solution of difi'erent' densities, with which the wool undergoing treatment is sprayed, is kept constantly electrolyzed and de-greased so as to act on such wool under the most favorable conditions possible. In this case the de-greasing is effected after the electro-lyzation of the liquid but this is of no importance, especially as the process is applied to a machine of the methodical or stage system.

The regular circulation of the liquid is effected by the pumps p which serve at same time to emulsionize the greasy matters extracted from the wool under treatment. The division or separation of the greasesis efi'ected in the compartments B B B of the separating tank and said greases flow through the valves h into a collector j, while the saline liquid is utilized as hereinbefore described.

Although the description only refers to it nos-1, 044

What I claim is 1. In a wool-washing and degreasing process, the steps consisting in subjecting wool to the action of a degreasing liquid, separating the liquid from the wool, electrolyzing said liquid to restore its degreasing properties and then washing and degreasing wool with the liquid so treated.

2. In a wool-washing and degreasing process, the steps consisting in subjecting wool to an aqueous bath, separating the liquid from the wool, separating the greasy matters from the liquid, electrolyzing the degreased liquid to restore its degreasing properties and returning said electrolyzed liquid to the wool-washing bath for further treatment of wool.

3. In a wool-washing and degreasing process, the steps consisting in subjecting Wool to an aqueous bath, separating the liquid from the wool, agitating the grease laden liquid to facilitate separating the grease from the liquid, separating the grease, electrolyzing the degreased liquid to restore its degreasing properties and returning the electrolyzed liquid to the'Wool-washing bath for the further treatment of wool.

4. In a wool-washing and degreasing process, the steps consisting in subjecting wool to the action of an alkaline bath, separating the liquid from the wool, churning the liquid to assist the separation of the grease, removing the grease from the liquid, electrolyzing the degreased liquid and reintroducing the'electrolyzed liquid to the bath to act on fresh portions of wool and repeating the operations while restricting the density of the bath to about 10 to 12 Baum.

In combination a wool-Washing and degreasing tank, liquid separating means associated with the tank, means for churning said liquid and separating grease therefrom, means for electrolyzing the grease free liquid and means for returning the electrolyte to said wool-Washing tank.

6. In combination, a wool-washing and degreasing tank and a grease separating reservoir, liquid separating means associated with said tank, a conduit for conducting the liquid from the separating means to said reservoir, a rotary pump in said conduit for churning and transferring said liquid, and an electrolytic vat for electrolyzing said liquid in communication with said reservoir and tank and through which the degreased liquid returns to said tank.

7. In apparatus for washing and degreasing wool, a wool washing trough, pressing devices for wool leaving said trough, a reser voir for liquid extracted by said pressing devices, means for agitating the liquid of said reservoir, a tank receiving liquid from said reservoir, an electrolyzing tank, a valve controlled liquid conduit between said receiving tank and said electrolyzing tank, a valve controlled conduit between said electrolyzing tank and said wool washing trough, and means for removing greasy matters from liquid with said receiving tank.

8. In apparatus for washing and de-greasing wool, the combination of a wool washing machine, means for electrolyzing liquid extracted from the wooltreated in said machine and means for delivering liquid electrolyzed by said means back to said washing machine.

9. In apparatus for washing and de-greasing wool, the combination with a wool washing machine of means for electrolyzing liquid extracted from the Wool treated in said machine, means for agitating said liquid, and means for delivering liquid electrolyzed by said means back to the washing machine.

10. In apparatus for washing and degreasing Wool, the combination with a Wool washing machine of means for electrolyzing liquid extracted from the wool treated in the said machine, means for agitating said liquid, means for extracting greasy matters therefrom, and means for delivering liquid 'electrolyzed by said means back to the washing machine.

11. In apparatus for Washing and de-greasing wool, a wool Washing machine, an electrolyzing tank divided into compartments, a separating tank also divided into compartments, corresponding to the compartments of said electrolyzing tank, means for delivering liquid from each compartment of said electrolyzing tank to the corresponding compartment of said separating tank, and

an outlet conduit from each'of the compartments of said separating tank to wool under treatment in said wool washing machine.

12. In apparatus for washing and degreasing wool, a Wool washing machine, an electrolyzing tank divided into compartments, a separating tank also divided into compartments, corresponding to the compartments of said electrolyzing tank, a r0- tary pump for delivering liquid from each compartment of said electrolyzing tank to the corresponding compartment of said separating tank, and an outlet conduit from each of the compartments of said separating tank to wool under treatment in said wool washing machine.

13. In apparatus for washing and degreasing wool, a wool Washing machine an electrolyzing tank divided into compartments a separating tank also divided into compartments, corresponding to the compartment of said electrolyzing tank, means for delivering liquid from each compartment of said electrolyzing tank to the corresponding compartment of said separating tank, and a valve controlled outlet conduit from each of the compartments of said separating tank to Wool under treatment in said Wool Washing machine.

14. A mechanical arrangement for degreasing or washing wool, comprising a tank from the alkaline solution to be treated, a pump for emulsionizing such solution, a separating or sorting tank receiving the solution from the pump and separating the greases contained therein and an elect-rolyzing tank for receiving the tie-greased soluemme arrangement is placed so as to receive the solution therefrom return it thereto after 15 treatment and regeneration.

Signed at Roubaix, France, this twenty- I fifth day of January, 1911.

JOSEPH BAUDOT.

Witnesses: 3

P. PAUL, J 0s. DEMULDER. 

